Haute Route has announced its first foray into the digital riding realm, launching a three-day event with Zwift on the platform's fictional "Watopia" course Haute Route Watopia will take place April 3-5.

As a result of the coronavirus pandemic (Covid-19), many countries have shifted their focus to virtual riding, with many countries in some form of lockdown.

Several countries, including France, Italy, and Spain, have variously banned cycling outdoors, leading to a boom in indoor cycling.

Registration for the event is free and is open now. Each of the event's three stages will be held five times a day at 9:00 AM, 11:00 AM, 3:00 PM, 6:00 PM, and 8:00 PM (all CEST).

Autoroute is treating this new event in the same way as its portfolio of real-life rides in the Dolomites, Alps, and Pyrenees: in collaboration with PKRS, a riders' road book and a complete training program are available. Riders who complete the event will receive an autoroute-specific kit created by Le Col.

In addition to participating in the event, each finisher will be entered into a game to win an Haute Route package that includes accommodation and a massage after each stage.

"Challenge yourself for three consecutive days on Watopia, Zwift's virtual volcanic island," the Haute Route event description reads.

"Combining the fun of video games with the intensity of serious training, connect with cyclists from around the world from the comfort of your own home and compete against them on Haute Route Watopia, day or night, in any weather.

"To make Haute Route Watopia a truly global stage event, each stage will span multiple time zones, but three stages must be completed back to back."

You can sign up for Haute Route Watopia through Zwift (open in new tab) or Haute Route (open in new tab).

Three Sisters 48.3 km, 896.7 m. This stage covers all three Watopian mountains: the Hilly KOM, Epic KOM, and Volcano KOM.

Tour of Ice and Fire: 25.1km, 1166m elevation, begins with the Volcano Circuit and ends with the Road to Sky climb.

The Pretzel: 72.2 km, 1333 m. This stage is Zwift's longest and most challenging route, with two major climbs along the way.